Chicago inspector general running for U.S. Senate

Source: Chicago Trib

Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman said today he is resigning his watchdog role to seek the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Hoffman told the Chicago Tribune that he is resigning officially today and told Mayor Richard Daley of his decision on Tuesday. He declined further comment.

Hoffman, a former federal prosecutor, has targeted City Hall hiring practices and criticized the mayor's controversial parking meter lease deal in his first term as the city's top internal investigator. While those efforts have put him at odds with the Daley administration, the mayor has said he would reappoint Hoffman in September if he wanted another four-year term.

Hoffman joins a small Democratic field to replace U.S. Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich after the governor was charged with trying to sell the seat left vacant by the election of President Barack Obama. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias is running, and Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson has said she plans to run.

Sources said Hoffman had considered a run for Illinois attorney general, but dropped those plans after powerful incumbent Lisa Madigan announced that she would seek another term in that post.

Read more: http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2009/08/chicago-inspector-general-running-for-us-senate.html